Cincinnati OH vs Springfield IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 113,714 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 40.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 4.5% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 38.7% | 19.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 3.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 35.1% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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